Despite a surname that suggests otherwise, Eli London, is a New Yorker. He’s now based in the lively barrio of Roma, Mexico City (Vogue have called it ‘the Williamsburg of Mexico City’), and publishes a weekly roundup newsletter, The Breads. Oh, and he’s an awesome writer and photographer.
Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.
Read on for Eli’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Roma, Mexico City.
Mexico City is full of delicious food, from street stalls to top-ranked restaurant in the world. Expendio de Maiz sin Nombre straddles that line perfectly. It’s next to super popular late-night spot Paramo, but is only open until late afternoon. When you arrive, you’ll find a kitchen completely open to the street and two large communal tables. There is no menu at all. You tell them what you’re allergic to and what you hate and the chefs send out corn-based dishes one at a time until you’re full. It’s high-end cuisine, without being stuffy or overly run by tourists.
On Colima Street, where countless vintage shops call home, Erre Vintage has a great selection of highly curated vintage clothing. Think band tees, sports jerseys, bad-ass jackets and more. It’s one of the rare vintage spots in Mexico City that has just as good of a selection of menswear as womenswear. Plus much better prices compared to what you would find for comparable items in US vintage hot spots like New York or LA.
The nightlife
It’s only open on weekends, but Departamento is one of the best spots in the city to see DJ sets of all genres. It’s vibey, but not try-hard, and movers and shakers from the creative scene often find themselves at Departamento late night. Get there on the early side, because lines do happen.
A rather small hotel with less than a dozen rooms, Casa Goliana is perfectly located to easily get around La Roma and Condesa on foot, or quickly get to other parts of the city on the metro or in a car. The crowd is more vacationing couples and hipper business people than young party-goers, which is a good thing in my opinion. It’s impeccably decorated and cozy.
The bar
Bacal is a natural wine bar opened by a Frenchman in south Roma, with a large selection of wines from all over. It’s a rather unique experience because just like Expendio there is no set menu. It’s often just buffet-style healthy and nutritious foods, and pay what you want. However, on Saturdays they have guest chefs who plate out a set menu. The clientele is often a mix of ex-pat writers, creators, and entrepreneurs, with local Mexicans in the same circles mixed in.
When talking to our Insiders and the Safara travel community, the subject of travel books always comes up. What are you currently reading? What’s the best travel book you’ve ever read? How many books do you try to cram into your case? Kindle or paperback?
Travel writing is our gateway to other experiences, journeys, countries, places. It allows us to travel, wherever we’re based. Below are just a few of the travel writers and travel books that come up often in the conversations we have about reading and traveling.
From Hemingway to Bill Bryson, Joan Didion to A. A. Gill, these are the travel stories our Insiders love to get lost in.
“His acerbic writing style speaks to me more than most. He traveled far and wide, writing about some notoriously dull and difficult places and yet always found a story, because, there always is one. Even where I don’t agree with his opinions I find his absolute conviction compelling.” – Louis Sheridan
“They’re well curated and cater to travelers like me, who want to hit up all the newest and coolest (slightly off the beaten path) hot spots.” – Sabrina Meier
“The story itself is based on a small cabin, which was built for the purpose of experiencing ‘the lightning field’ as the sky and landscape change throughout the day. You can visit alone or in a small group – and with no cell service for miles, you’d better make sure it’s people you like. More importantly, it’s a magical place for introspection and appreciation of the artwork and the beautiful high desert of New Mexico.” –Kimiko Ninomiya
“Hemingway always reminds me of my Dad, who was my favorite travel partner, so A Moveable Feast would have to be one. Another is Donna Tartt’s A Secret History, which I read while traveling between Shelter Island, CA, and NYC. I’m a little late to this one, but I am a huge fan of her writing and this book is definitely one you can get lost in during those hours in transit.” – Georgia Zeavin
“He makes a compelling case for why you should not wait to travel until you’re retired or you’ve saved ‘enough’ money – if you really want to travel, make it a true priority now. Take the money you’d otherwise spend on a few dinners or fancy jeans and buy a plane ticket instead. This philosophy really inspired me to change my career path and, in fact, my entire lifestyle.” – Christina Perez
“I’ll name my own book, The Bright Continent, which is an investigation of technology and development in Africa. I reported it across 17 countries in two years, and while it covers meaty issues like education, health care and finance in Africa, it’s also a contemporary travelogue that brings back memories of some of the most unusual and fascinating places I’ve been.” – Daya Olopade
“For her packing list on page 34 and her devastating essay on Hawaii. Among newer works, I’m obsessed with Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for her beyond-inventive descriptions of airports and travel-sized toiletries.” – Amelia Mularz
Travel has been part of Emilie Hawtin’s life and career for quite some time, and it’s that way by design rather than chance. A New Yorker at heart, she’s worked in fashion for most of her career as a copywriter, strategist and all-round creative thinker for brands including Belstaff, Carolina Herrera, Jason Wu, Atelier Bomba and Mr Porter. In 2021, she’s become Editorial Director for beloved American brand, J. Crew.
Emilie’s creative heart lies in menswear, demonstrated by her own personal style – think chic sports coats and an infinite collection of neck scarfs – and her committed attendance at Pitti Uomo every year. She’s our go-to woman for trip planning resources, tips on the best remote offices and hotel picks.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Duc de Saint-Simon, Paris. A celebration of chintz in Paris on a sweet little street. I love how fresh and elegant it feels.
Borgo San Felice, Tuscany. In a small town of its own, everything here feels quiet, peaceful and personal.
Deetjens Big Sur Inn, California. I love this place for the worn-in, salt-of-the-earth feeling that epitomises Big Sur.
Tell us about a place and hotel that’s next on your wish list?
I want to ride horses! I’m heading to Buenos Aires and have a feeling I’ll want to return to one of the small estancias or Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, where my boyfriend likes to fish.
What is the one item you can’t travel without?
Scarves and bandanas. I end up wearing the same thing most of the time, but these change things up. In the summer, a bandana in the hair addresses sweat, sea and sun. I also use them on planes as a full-faced sleeping mask. It’s a collection that takes up little space and I can justify!
What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?
Fresh exotic flowers in the shower at the Aman in Cambodia. It’s not a useful amenity, but felt special. Also, hotels whose staff know and remember your name, a rarity that means the world.
What hotel room design element can you not live without?
Big windows that open, natural light, and soundproof walls.
What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?
I like going to a local library when I’m in Europe, sometimes you have to get a library card like at Bibliothèque Mazarine in Paris or ask very nicely. But there’s something grand and very sweet about being in a library that I enjoy much more than working from say, The Bowery Hotel lobby. You feel more connected to the place you’re in.
Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?
If I’m going somewhere close, upstate NY is great for lack of phone service. I go to Italy, Florence usually, when I want to be off the grid – even though it’s on the grid, I lay low and can just be. Or I go hiking, camping, horse riding, surfing, or to Montauk in the offseason when it’s empty. I feel the happiest in nature or in a sleepier foreign city.
You travel for work, a lot. How did you get into doing what you do? What advice would you give someone who wants to travel to be a key part of their job?
Travel keeps me interested and excited about everything else. I’ve worked to position myself to travel in a sustainable way. For me, it takes a certain structure and doesn’t always go the way you’d like. I’m usually working when I travel: on trains, on planes, on nice days in places I don’t feel like doing work in. I consider it part of how I’m able to be there, which is what keeps me disciplined. I’ll go work outside, or explore in the morning, then work in the afternoon.
I’m always grateful to have the work and a career that allows flexibility more often than not. Travel informs the way I think. There’s so much to learn and spending real time in places is humbling and expanding, it makes me a better person.
What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?
Well, the bandanas for starters. Sunglasses, something to bundle as a pillow – which has been a sport coat lately – Laundress travel soap to hand-wash clothes, melatonin, and water.
If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world (alive or dead) at baggage claim, who would you swap with?
Oh lord. I think Bryan Ferry’s kit would be interesting.
Have you or would you travel alone?
I travel alone a lot. As much as I enjoy being with someone else, namely my boyfriend who I travel with the most, I think it’s really interesting and important to understand how you are in a place when you’re simply with yourself. It teaches you.
If you’re going to a new place, and your friends have not been there, what do you consult for advice?
^I do tons of research and make lists. I’ll research the titles I trust and then I’ll research a lot more. Condé Nast has always a good resource but times are changing. I like guides by people whose taste I trust, personal things. Magazines like Yolo Journal,NYT, and Sometimes. I have about 47 folders on Instagram, but I don’t end up using them all that much.
What was your favorite room service experience ever?
I had a mandolin delivered to me on a train in Malaysia and the piano player started playing Moon River. I performed, terribly, for the train.
Best travel advice you’ve ever received?
The fastest road to jet lag recovery is being active the moment you arrive, if only for 20 minutes. Repeat outfits and bring few. And make an effort to understand and respect the culture you’re in, not expect people to bend to what you’re used to or expect. Make an effort to speak even a little of the language and tip well at places you’d like to return to. Those are collected insights.
Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee or dinner. Where was the best one you’ve had?
At the home of my friend Silvio in Tuscany. He is an incredible biodynamic winemaker and makes the freshest, homemade food, from bread to wine to meat, in what has become my favorite kitchen. It’s natural, stylish, calm, warm and inviting – the most important qualities in just about anything.
What is your favorite travel book or magazine?
YoloJournal, for its personal insights and off-the-beaten-path places from the most tasteful people around the world.
What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?
A sport coat, trousers, velvet slippers, and a scarf.
IIf you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would it be?
I’m pretty sure it would not surprise anyone if I did. In Italy, if I could figure out the tax system and politics.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve purchased abroad and brought home (or tried to carry-on) from your travels?
Copper pots and pans, and wooden cutting boards – nothing crazy, but a lot of heavy things.
You have an hour to spare at the airport. What would you be doing?
Reading at a closed gate or in a lounge.
Beach, city or mountains?
All three.
Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?
Kombucha to combat everything else.
Early check-in or late check-out?
Late check out, usually.
Favorite subscription service you’ll never delete?
I forget life before Spotify.
Favorite travel app?
Hopper.
Yoga or hotel gym?
Yoga, especially in a foreign language or on-demand with YogaVida.
How many ‘creative matchmakers’ have you met before? Well, allow us to introduce you to Deanne Moser. She’s the founder of DM Public, Canada’s only cultural communications firm that inspires connections between people, ideas and places in the arts and culture space. A pretty cool M.O.
Alongside matchmaking, Deanne is also an art consultant, a board member for Luminato Festival Toronto, Co-Chair for the Art Gallery of Ontario young patron fundraiser, Co-Chair for Creative Current, and a committee member for Canadian Art Foundation and Art Toronto Opening Night. So, when it comes to travel, it’s no surprise that exploring places via art is her favorite thing to do.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas. Marfa is a 2,000 person art town in the middle of nowhere and El Cosmico is just as crazy as the town. Think colorful airstreams, yurts, and outdoor showers. The place screams of personality.
Fogo Island Inn, Fogo, Canada. If you want to go off the grid and unplug, this is probably one of the nicest hotels to do it in.
Casa Kimberly, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There is something very romantic about staying in the former home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
Tell us about a hotel that’s on your to-do list?
Chateau La Coste in Provence, which is basically my idea of an all-inclusive. The art, the food, the wine, the design, the views – everything I want, all in one place.
What is the one item you can’t travel without?
My Away Suitcase – I really like the USB phone charger that is always there when you need it.
What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?
Good customer service – because no chocolate on the pillow can replace kind humans.
What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?
Soho House, especially during art fairs like Basel Miami and Frieze. I hate asking for a wifi password, so I really appreciate the auto-connect in all cities and countries. And, obviously, the after-work offerings like the infamous Miami Beach tent is always a plus.
When you travel for work, how do make sure you take time to see the city?
I make it a priority to slip into a museum or gallery exhibition, even if it’s just for an hour. You can buy a timed exhibition ticket and put it in your calendar like a meeting so it forces you to go.
If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world at baggage claim, who would it be?
Lauren Santo Domingo. I think her style is perfect and I love how she includes new and upcoming fashion designers on Moda Operandi from all over the world.
Best travel advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t bring back packaged prescription drugs that you do not have a prescription for, especially if you have a government-issued fast-track card. Hot tip coming from Daniel Rechtshaffen, my friend and criminal defence lawyer.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve purchased abroad and brought home (or tried to carry-on) from your travels?
Two vertical, wood-slat panel oil paintings and a paper/acrylic canvas collage from Havana, Cuba, gifted to me by Richard Branson. Getting original art out of a country can be a challenging process.
You have to assume a couple adores seeing the world when they give their baby ‘Atlas’ as a middle name – very on-brand for Jessica and Patrick! The pair met while living on opposite sides of the US, moved to Madrid for a few years with their baby son, and now call Mallorca home (although, who knows where’s next). They are, in our eyes, the very definition of a power couple – and rich sources of travel inspiration.
While Jessica is the founder and designer of Zahava Jewelry and The Brave Collection, and a Forbes 30 under 30, Patrick is an advisor, investor, board member of non-profit Apex for Youth and former CMO of Refinery29. Their personal and professional lives have taken them all over the world, and we are forever inspired by the travel tips they’ve collected along the way – check out Jessica’s five reasons to visit Madrid for just a few. But first, read on.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Read on for travel inspiration from Jessica and Patrick.
Name three of your favorite hotels?
St Cecilia in Austin. Patrick was living in LA and I was living in NY. We met in the middle here, and went from crushing on each other to deciding to give this love a go!
Scarabeo Camp in Morocco. Glamping among the camels and under the stars!
Is there one spot that holds a special memory?
Palm Springs. It’s where Patrick proposed (on a hike with my family) and where we got married!
Who’s the planner? Who likes to fly by the seat of their pants?
Patrick is definitely the planner — he is meticulous— an incredible planner. Typically, our itinerary revolves around one thing: food. We are total foodies and map out entire trips based on meals.
Best travel tip you’ve learned from each other?
Patrick taught me how to travel light. When we met, I was the worst packer, I’d just throw everything I have into a giant suitcase. Now, we are strictly carry on — I bring only what I will use, and it’s so much easier. Plus, less to unpack when you get home.
What’s the best hotel experience you’ve had while traveling together?
Sleeping in a museum at the Benesse House Hotel in Naoshima, Japan, was out-of-control incredible.
Tell us where’s next on your travel bucket list?
We are dying to go to Sicily for the beaches (and vongole)!
Taormina, Sicily
Favorite vacation to take as a couple?
We both love the beach, we are total sun worshippers and so adore a gorgeous ocean. That said, we also love exploring new cities. Usually, we try to find a friend-of-a-friend that lives in the city, to get a local experience. We are really aligned on travel as a couple, luckily. Our tastes have sorted melded into one and we tend to get excited about the same places.
What is the one item you can’t travel without?
I love my cashmere travel wrap from White + Warren, because it’s always chilly on planes and airports. And I always wear my Zahava jewelry — it adds some texture and light to anything I’m wearing, and feels like a token of protection on my travels. Finally, I pack my leopard pony hair slippers from the souk in Morocco, because they are so comfy! Patrick’s would probably be tech devices.
When it comes to airport and travel logistics, are you both aligned?
We are both the worst! We have missed more than one flight, mainly down to the fact that we just loathe wasting time at the airport and being too early. Now that we have a baby though, we are getting our act together!
When you’re not traveling with each other, who’s your next favorite partner in crime?
We both actually love traveling alone. It’s less of a draw now we have each other, but before we met, I spent a lot of time doing solo travel, and sometimes I still like to take a few days on a trip to just explore and reflect.
Who’s chief trip planner?
Patrick.
Who gets aisle, who gets window?
I get aisle, because I always have to pee.
First poolside drink?
Iced tea.
Room service or hotel restaurant?
Restaurant! We like getting dressed and getting the vibe for a place, as we are social butterflies.
Business-class flight, or more luxe hotel?
We go both ways — all about the high / low. We will splurge on cushy flights and then eat a $5 taco dinner when we arrive, or take a last-minute budget flight and then book a swanky hotel! We’ve learned that more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
It’s Valentine’s Day, so our insiders this week are a duo, and a pretty cool duo at that. Haley is a fashion stylist and editor (for brands like Moda Operandi and Nylon Magazine), and is in the midst of launching her travel itinerary website The Away Message. Alan is a furniture dealer, interior decorator, and designer – and the founder of Somerset Studio, Everyone Wins, as well as one of the original designers of cult NYC brand Timo Weiland. Whew!
Haley and Alan met working in fashion 12 years ago, and have been together ever since. They travel a lot, including annual trips to Jamaica – which they LOVE – and recently got married there at the incredible Jakes Hotel, Treasure Beach (a Safara fave!).
Based in New York City, they’re unequivocally each other’s fave travel companion (cute), and gave us their ultimate hotel picks, travel hacks, and recs for 2020. Much love.
Jakes Hotel, Treasure Beach: We have so many memories here, we discovered this off-the-beaten-path spot years ago and got married here last year!
Chebague Island Inn, Maine: This place is so special and is on an island in Maine. It’s remote, beautiful, and you feel like you’ve been transported to another time. It has a very Americana vibe in the best way possible and oh my god – the breakfast!
Is there one spot that holds a special memory? Tell us why.
Alan:Golden Eye in Jamaica holds a lot of special memories for us, we got engaged here and also came here right after we tied the knot. This is such an amazing place and although we generally are travelers who love to explore the surrounding area, this is one property you do not want to leave.
Alan and Haley’s wedding at Golden Eye, Jamaica
Who’s the planner? Who likes to fly by the seat of their pants?
Alan: Haley! She’s actually working on an itinerary-driven travel website called The Away Message. In our relationship, Haley is deemed “our social director”.
Best travel hack you’ve learned from your partner?
Haley: Choose carefully for when and when not to rent a car. Also, roll your clothing in your suitcase and invest in good luggage.
Alan: Keep an open mind. Sometimes Haley suggests something that doesn’t speak to me immediately and I go on the trip because my wife wanted to, but when I arrive it’s always sensational.
What’s the coolest and/or most surprising amenity you’ve ever seen in a hotel when traveling together?
The ice rink at the Edition in Miami is a favorite of ours. The times we’ve gone we were the only ones there! What’s more amazing and odd than ice skating in the basement of a luxury hotel in the middle of the Miami Beach heat?
Tell us one place and / or one hotel that you definitely want to go to together in 2020, and why?
Southern Italy, we have traveled to Italy so many times from Rome and are obsessed in a crazy way. This year we want to switch it up just a little bit, and go south to eat our way through all the scattered beach towns.
Favorite vacation to take as a couple? How do you compromise?
Alan: We love visiting countries where we can get in the car and really explore. We’re usually looking to include both nature and culture on our trips. Haley prefers the beach, I prefer city breaks, so our compromise usually meets in the middle for a place like Portugal which has it all in a very accessible way.
What is the one item you each can’t travel without?
Haley: The White and Warren Cashmere Travel Wrap. I style for this company, and truly cannot travel without this product.
Alan: My Contax T2 film camera: it was designed in the ’90s to be the perfect travel camera, and it is just that.
Airport confession time! Which one of you likes to go super early? Which one prefers to be last on the plane?
Haley: Alan is obsessed with getting on the plane early to ensure our luggage has a good spot. I take anti-anxiety medicine before getting on a flight, so I am VERY chill by boarding time.
When you’re not traveling with your partner, who’s your next favorite partner in crime?
Alan: I don’t really travel with anyone but my wife, otherwise I’m my next best partner in crime.
Haley: Ditto to what Alan said, except as stated earlier I take meds and have a fear of flying (VERY unfortunate for me!), so I’ll often travel with my best girlfriends who take very good care of my snoozing body mid-flight.
Dylan Essertier has pretty much come full circle. Starting her career in training and development, she got itchy feet and followed an opportunity to pursue travel writing in Dubai. There, she became Culture Editor for lifestyle magazine Savoir Flair, which continued her travels around the world, reporting on the latest luxury hospitality and fashion trends. She has also contributed to the likes of Vogue, WSJ and Condé Nast Traveler.
Alongside her own travels, Dylan set up an eponymous travel and business mentorship, Dylan Grace, where she builds community and shares ideas, tools and resources to help people to travel better. She’s moderated panel talks including W Hotel’s ‘What She Said’ panel, bringing powerful, progressive women together (think Jenna Lyons, Rachel Zoe, and more). And, so far, Dylan has lived in Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman. Alila Jabal Akhdar sits on the edge of a cliff in Oman’s Al Hajar mountain range (think: The Grand Canyon of the Middle East). The hotel is designed after a traditional Omani fort and has a heated infinity pool that looks over one of the most stunning views I’ve ever seen. Oh, and in the spring months, the entire Al Hajar mountainside blooms with beautiful roses. It’s beyond dreamy.
Sujan Rajmahal Palace, India. This Jaipur hotel feels like a Wes Anderson movie come to life! Communal rooms are painted in bright shades of fuchsia, cobalt, gold, and jade. Did I mention there are 43 custom wallpapers throughout the property? Each of which tells a different story about Jaipur’s fascinating and regal history.
Cheval Blanc Randheli, Maldives. Elegance is the name of the game at this gorgeous property, which was designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy, the man behind many of the Aman resorts around the world. Maldives luxury at its finest.
What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?
An on-demand champagne button at The Baccarat Hotel in NYC.
Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?
I really value the power of alone time to regroup and regain perspective. Some of my favorite off-the-grid experiences have included spending a month living in a cabin in Temecula, California, writing. A silent meditation retreat in New Hampshire (challenging but valuable). And 10 days in southern India at an Ayurvedic center.
You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career? And how do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?
I started my career working in Human Resources, in Training and Development. Just before I turned 25, I was restless. I enjoyed my work and helping employees build confidence, but I had always dreamt of traveling the world and becoming a writer. So, when I got an opportunity to move to the Middle East and write, I took it. I spent six years working as a Culture Editor in Dubai, traveling to report on the latest luxury hospitality trends.
Today, I’m lucky enough to combine my travel expertise with my background in personal development to run my own travel coaching business, which is dedicated to helping people build better lives through their travels. I love to travel knowing that once I get back I can share these amazing experiences, both through my travel writing and the trips I plan for my clients.
What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?
I travel alone constantly for my travel writing assignments. I love it.
Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?
I’m a celiac, so anytime a property goes above and beyond to make sure there is a gluten-free treat in my room, it stands out! The Kimpton Seafire resort in the Cayman Islands had a bowl of warm gluten-free chocolate cookies waiting for me when I arrived that I still remember to this day. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?
What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?
My plane uniform includes a pair of silk pants I had made in India, sneakers, a soft top, and a black oversized blazer.
If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in a another country or on a remote island), where would you do it?
I love this question! I would absolutely co-run it with my mom, who is also a travel fanatic, either in Sri Lanka or a remote seaside town somewhere in Italy.
Beach, city or mountains?
Beach.
Is in-flight wifi a good idea?
No.
Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?
Gluten-free Boston cream pie cake.
Favorite subscription service you’ll never delete?
Spotify.
In-flight cocktail?
Yes – champagne.
Favorite travel app?
Not technically a travel app but Moodpath – it tracks your moods. I’m always curious about how travel impacts my brain and moods.
Naomi Walkland is someone who really makes us wish we had more hours in the day. As VP of EMEA marketing for global dating app Bumble, she’s always on the go, but still finds time for causes close to her heart — namely, female empowerment. She launched her panel and dinner series The Power of Quitting in 2017, with the aim of bringing together female executives from around the world (including Forbes 30 under 30 Insider, Babba Rivera, and our Co-founder, Maya). She’s also an advisor at Ok Mentor, supporting women looking to break into creative industries.
Given all of the above (we could easily go on!), Naomi’s work travel hacks, airport style and skill for finding a place to chill while on the road, are second to none.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Royal Senchi, Ghana. It’s where my family spends Christmas every other year. It’s so serene and in the midst of nature, overlooking the Volta River.
Chateau Carbonneau. We booked this three years ago for a wedding trip, and fell in love with it. We’ve been back every year since. It’s a chic B&B in a 19th-century castle with charming rooms and it’s own vineyard. They produce amazing wines!
Royal Senchi, Ghana
What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?
Soho House is always my go-to “office” while traveling.
Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?
North Yorkshire. My husband is from there and it’s the place where we both switch off and enjoy the beautiful scenery, long walks and in the winter, evenings by the fire. It also helps that I have limited or no signal at my in-law’s home.
You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career? And how do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?
At Bumble, I travel a lot as I oversee a number of markets. I feel incredibly lucky that my job allows me to visit beautiful cities. Every time I travel, I always allow myself an hour to walk around the city, grab a coffee, and pop into a few shops first. This ensures that I have some “relaxation” time.
What three songs are on your OOO playlist?
The Weekend, Funk Wax Remix by SZA and Calvin Harris. Happens, by Sampha. And Nights Like This, by Kehlani & Ty Dolla Sign.
What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?
Bose noise-canceling headphones, whatever book I’m reading (currently My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite), and a portable charger.
Do you have any tips or tricks for beating the dreaded jet lag?
Drink lots of water ahead of the flight and during the flight.
Do a workout as soon as you land whether at the hotel, local studio (I always go to Soul Cycle), run around the neighborhood, or an exercise routine in your hotel room.
Aim to go to bed as late as you can when you land so you can adjust to the local time.
Stick to the local time throughout. It is very easy to keep looking at the local time and your time back at home, but this makes it harder to adjust.
What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?
One of our favorite ways to reset is by traveling somewhere new for a weekend break. It’s something about the journey and the change of scene that brings a fresh perspective, leaving us reenergised, even after just a couple of days away.
Many of the Safara community find ourselves traveling between London, New York City and Los Angeles. And, extending a work trip with a couple of days holiday is a brilliant way to explore a little further afield from all three of these cities.
Whether you’re based on EST, PST or GMT, here are 10 of our go-to destinations, for that well-earned weekend break.
Weekend breaks from New York City
Kingston
The Hudson Valley and the epic Catskill Mountains are easily accessible by car or train from New York City. Base yourself in the creative hub of Kingston, in Upstate New York, at Hotel Kinsley – a 42-room hotel, between the foothills of the Catskills and the banks of the Hudson River.
Hotel Kinsley, Kingston
Tannersville
If you’re looking for somewhere more remote, head to the Deer Mountain Inn in Tannersville – the country house vibes and Michelin-starred restaurant make it difficult to leave, but there are hikes aplenty if you do venture out.
Deer Mountain Inn
Miami
A three-hour flight from New York City, Miami has and has a thriving art, culture and fashion scene. Book a room at Casa Faena or The Standard Spa Miami Beach – for poolside drinks, parties and fresh inspiration in abundance.
Okay, this one’s a staycation. Treat yourself and check into the 11 Howard for a night or two. It has the perfect Soho location for great bars and nightlife, cafes, and parks. Top off your stay with a unique kind of wellness experience by booking an infrared sauna sesh at the onsite HigherDOSE.
Gramercy Park
Weekend breaks from Los Angeles
Malibu
Malibu is an ideal spot for a weekend break from the Westside of Los Angeles. The weather suits beach walks, mountain hikes and vineyard tours – surely a holy trinity of the weekend break. Stay at Calamigos Ranch, which has access to all of the above from the front door.
Calamigos Ranch
Ojai
Venture further north to Ojai, which is equal parts eclectic, artistic and delicious – the area’s microclimate means that everything grows well here. Stay at the hacienda-style Ojai Valley Inn, set on 220 acres of incredible land, and offering everything from golf to tennis and even an on-site apothecary.
For a roadtrip to the Kent coast with a dash of culture, head to Margate and Deal. Formally sleepy seaside towns, both are now favorites of those looking to get out of London for a weekend break. Check into The Rose in Deal, a former pub that’s filled with charm and beautiful rooms. Then, drive (or train) to Margate to visit the Turner Contemporary, and get lunch at Sargasso on the port. By the end of your trip, you’ll be looking up house prices and plotting your relocation.
The Rose, Deal
Cheltenham
The Cotswolds check every box when it comes to manor houses surrounded by great outdoors, and days that end in cozy fireside drinks. The Cowley Manor in Cheltenham has all of that and more, with 31 unique bedrooms and an award-winning spa.
Cowley Manor
Marrakech
For something further afield, Marrakech is only a 3.5-hour flight from London, and a good choice for warmth and culture. We adore El Fenn: it’s moments from the main square, but like many of the riads here, it is peaceful and calm. Be warned, you’ll want to bring all of the furniture home with you.
It’s safe to say Ben lives life to the extreme. He’s a record-breaking explorer, who led the first return journey to the South Pole on foot via Shackleton and Scott’s route in 2013; still the longest ever polar trek on foot. He has skied over 4,500 miles on polar expeditions since 2001, and remains the only Briton to have skied solo to both the North and South Poles.
His trips are incredibly inspiring and he shares his stories via TED talks that encourage others to take on life’s challenges, too – even if you’re not about to tackle a polar expedition. Given his regular adventures, he makes for the perfect ambassador for Canada Goose and Land Rover, testing the best kit and equipment in some of the the harshest conditions on the planet.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
25hours, Zurich Langstrasse. I was there a few years ago, and my room came with a bicycle and a Polaroid camera.
The Opposite House, Bejing
What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?
I had a treadmill in my suite at the Intercontinental in Malta. I don’t know if they knew I was coming, or if it was standard issue, but I put it to good use.
What hotel room design element can you not live without?
Complete darkness and silence at night. I often unplug fridges and alarm clocks and cover up glowing LEDs on televisions with a towel.
What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?
I love NeueHouse in NYC, but the reality is that I mostly end up working from airport lounges (Virgin is my favorite). Tinto Coffee on the Fulham Palace Road was a regular haunt when I was in South West London.
Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?
Nowhere beats Antarctica when it comes to disconnecting. I did a long expedition in 2013 (take a look at scottexpedition.com) and setting up my out-of-office in October before I left was one of the most decadent things I’ve ever done (“I won’t be checking email until late February next year, and if you need to contact me, you can’t…”).
You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career? How do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?
I never even imagined that what I do could become a career. I’ve been incredibly lucky. My father was an orphaned and penniless bricklayer who only ever left the UK once on a package holiday to Tenerife. While I feel deeply conflicted about the amount of air miles I continue to rack up, the ability to travel has broadened my own horizons immeasurably. Long-haul flights are a guilty pleasure and I find time in the air a unique opportunity to reflect and think a little more deeply.
What three songs are on your travel playlist?
Ella by Pete Cannon. I spent a bit of time raving in warehouses as a teenager, and I’ve always had a penchant for this sort of electronic music. Tracks I can leave on repeat for ages and zone out to, whether I’m doing email on a long flight, or skiing through a blizzard.
River by Leon Bridges. The antidote for too much electronic music, and the perfect soundtrack for a heading home on a red-eye.
Violet (The Upper Room) by CunningLynguists (!). I’ve loved hip-hop since my teens, and while it can have its misogynistic and thuggish sides, it can also be poetic and moving. It so often tells a story of striving and aspiration and struggle against the odds, which has always inspired me to work a little harder.
What are your favorite travel hacks?
Never check-in luggage (unless you’re flying with skis and a sledge) and sign up for Global Entry if your travels take you to the US more than once or twice per year. It’s been a game-changer for me.
What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?
Running shoes. Everything else is negotiable.
If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world at baggage claim, who would you swap with?
Ernest Hemingway.
Given that you often travel alone, how do you feel about traveling with others?
I’ve spent many weeks alone on solo expeditions to both the North and South poles, so I’m pretty happy with my own company. But, I love going to new places with my wife. I took her to NYC for her first time a few years ago, and I hope to take to her Antarctica one of these days. Re-experiencing the magical places that I’ve perhaps started to take for granted through her eyes is a joy.
If you’re going to a new place, and your friends haven’t been, who, where or what do you consult for advice?
I often look at Strava to find running routes that the locals use.
What was your favorite room service experience ever?
Not exactly room service, but we had a ski butler at l’Apogee in Courcheval! After coffee we went back outside to find our skis and poles were ready for us, and pointing in the right direction, with a little name flag next to them.
Best travel advice you’ve ever received?
I have a “Work Hard and be Nice to People” print by Anthony Burrill on my office wall. It’s a maxim that has served me well so far.
Who is your dream “co-pilot” and why?
I’d love to do a trip with Werner Herzog or Ed Burtynsky. The ability to tell genuinely moving stories through film and photographs is something I covet.
Anxiety and burn-out are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so?
I’ve tried meditation, but have so far never managed to fit a regular practice into my life. My body gets seized up when I’m training hard and traveling lots (especially now that I’m in my forties!) so I use an app (see below!) that guides you through a daily flexibility routine. I try to eat well. I’ve been interested in nutrition for years and I’m going against the plant-fuelled trend by eating fresh, locally sourced and ethically reared meat whenever I can find it. I avoid sugar and anything processed with rapeseed or palm oil. I eat low-carb/high-fat unless I’m doing a lot of endurance exercise, when I use an energy drink by Maurten.
Other than that, the best remedy I’ve found to feeling overwhelmed is leaving my phone at home, taking my dog for a walk in the woods near our home and reminding myself that we’ve identified 55 billion Earth-like planets in the Milky Way alone, and that what I’m worrying about invariably doesn’t matter all that much in the grand scheme of things.
Do you have any tips or tricks for beating the dreaded jet lag?
I do a lot of short trips to the US for speaking engagements and try to stay on UK time. So, I’ll go to bed in the afternoon when I arrive, wake up at 4am local time, get loads of work done, run/go to the gym, have a giant American breakfast, speak, eat at the airport, skip the in-flight meal and sleep on the entire flight home. Regular exercise helps a lot, and I’m pretty good at sleeping on planes. I’m usually lucky enough to have a flat-bed seat and I use melatonin on longer trips (especially to China/the Far East – I find flying east harder than going west). I also take zinc and magnesium before I want to go to sleep. On planes I use a combination of an eye mask, Flare’s brilliant ear plugs, Bose noise-cancelling headphones over the top, and a white noise app on my iPhone to make sure that I’m not woken up!
Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?
The first that springs to mind was from Gimme! Coffee on Mott St. in NYC.
What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?
Right now I’m wearing navy Bam sweat pants (made of bamboo!), a white T-shirt and grey cashmere crew-neck sweater from Sunspel, ON running shoes and CEP compression socks (essential for long-haul). My Bremont Endurance watch makes sure I don’t look like too much of a slob, and I hide behind a Golden State Warriors baseball cap and a pair of Oliver Peoples aviators for a bit of airport privacy.
If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would you do it?
I’ve work with White Desert, so in a way I’m doing precisely that! Otherwise a finca in Mallorca would be fun, and I’ve heard the cycling/hiking/running in Slovenia is next-level, so maybe an old farmhouse there to convert into a basecamp for like-minded souls.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve purchased abroad and brought home (or tried to carry-on) from your travels?
The man that hand-makes my expedition sledges (from kevlar and carbon composite) is based in Norway, so I’ve brought a few back from there over the years. In Oslo, everyone knows exactly what it is when I’m wheeling it around on a trolley and trying to get it sideways through bollards and doors (they call it a ‘pulk’), but at Heathrow most people assume it’s an exotic canoe.
You have an hour to spare at the airport. What would I find you doing?
Tragically, I’d probably have my headphones on, doing emails.
Where’s your next trip?
I’m currently on a Virgin flight to NYC, and then on to Washington DC to see my speaking agents. My wife and I had an amazing time at Torralbenc in Menorca (we were told it was like a quieter version of Mallorca, and they were right).
Beach, city or mountains?
Mountains.
Alone or with someone else?
With my wife, as she doesn’t often get to join me!
Is in-flight wifi a good idea?
No.
Lost luggage, or lost phone?
Luggage (I can buy almost anything I need with my phone these days!)
Airplane food?
Yes, although I augment it with protein bars.
Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?
A bottle of still water that isn’t disposable, and that preferably doesn’t have a price tag attached.
Early check-in or late check-out?
Early check-in.
Favorite subscription service you’ll never delete?
Spotify.
In flight cocktail?
Black coffee!
Favorite travel app?
ROMWOD.
Window or aisle?
I’m typing this from a Virgin Upper Class aisle seat, but I love a window. The approach into Seattle was a recent favorite view.
